Pityriasis rosea

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Pityriasis rosea on the chest

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Pityriasis rosea

• Skin lesion or rash
  • Starts with a single (herald) lesion
  • Followed several days later by more lesions
  • May follow cleavage lines or appear in a "Christmas tree" pattern
  • Oval plaque, papule, or macule
  • Sharp border
  • May spread
  • Centers have wrinkled (cigarette paper) appearance
  • The lesions appears like a scale that is attached at the edges and loose at the center
• Itching of the lesions (mild to severe)
• Skin redness or inflammation

Your physician can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea based on the appearance of the rash. A blood test may be required, however, to distinguish pityriasis rosea from the very similar rash seen in secondary syphilis. Occasionally, a skin biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

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